Match Handle

ABSTRACT

My match handle allows the application of a match to places difficult to reach. It accomplishes this while also improving safety and reducing waste. The match handle prevents the flame from traveling to the user&#39;s hand. This nearly eliminates the risk of being burned by the match flame. Waste is reduced as the handle is re-useable. It can also operate with a shorter than conventional match. These factors result in less material being disposed of with each use. My match handle also incorporates a safe, efficient, and clean way to eject a match once used. The user does not need to reposition ones grip to eject the match. The user does not need to touch the burned match. It is also unnecessary to touch the potentially hot and unclean match holding end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/369,701, filed 2010 Jul. 31 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMS

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This application relates to the mechanical holding of a match throughoutits use.

2. Prior Art

The prior art involves a user holding an entirely flammable match whileaflame. If the user holds the match long enough there is a risk of beingburned. Longer matches help reduce this risk and aid in effectiveapplication. However they are costly and wasteful. The majority of sucha match is wasted with each use without being used.

Several types of match holders are described in U.S. patents. The WilderU.S. Pat. No. 407,883 and Stegner U.S. Pat. No. 2,822,204 show matchholders having coiled wire holders. Both provide a means by which tohold a match while in use; however neither provides an integral means bywhich to remove the unused portion of the match.

The Gibson et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,051 describes a match holder thatis made of a single sheet of spring steel which has been curved to asplit tubular shape. The spring steel holder is attached to an extensionrod so that the lighted match can be positioned in an accessiblelocation. The match is wedged in the wider end of the holder. However,no provision is made to easily eject the match from the holder.

The Luberacki U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,029 shows a match holder which doesintegrate an ejection mechanism however the user interface is at thematch holding end of the device. This is inherent in the design asLuberacki teaches the use of a solid main handle which restricts thelocation of the eject mechanism to the match holding end. This isundesirable for multiple reasons, including but not limited to thefollowing:

-   -   this end may be too hot to touch due to its proximity to the        flame    -   there is a risk that the match may be inadvertently ejected        while aflame    -   this end is likely to be dirty with soot and other substances        contracted during use    -   it is not practical for the user to eject the match with one        hand

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment my match handle allows for safeapplication of a match. By utilizing a flame resistant handle a flame isprevented from advancing to the user. It also improves the applicationby providing additional length to the match being held. It is used byinserting a match into a tubular barrel which holds the match byfriction. By using a plastic based or similar material for the barrel itwill conform and adhere to the match. It will also elastically bendwhile striking the match to prevent the match from braking.

A push pin is incorporated in the barrel for ejecting the match onceused. With the barrel being a continuous tube the push pin can extend tothe user held end. This allows the push pin to be activated by one handwithout re-gripping. It also prevents the user from touching the matchholding end. This end may be hot and covered in soot after each use.

My match handle was developed to provide a device that allows foroptimized utility of a match. It accomplished this while simultaneouslyimproving safety and reducing waste. Currently matches areconventionally available in both long and short versions, respectively.Longer matches provide the utility of accessing difficult applicationsites. They also provide a lower risk of burning the user than shorteroptions. They are however more costly and wasteful. Shorter matches areless costly yet don't provide the safety and utility of longer options.They are also wasteful as the user held portion cannot be utilizedwithout burning the user.

Match holders have been described in prior art, however none provide allthe benefits of this disclosure. My match handle provides a means offirmly holding a match throughout its use. It minimizes risk of breakinga match while striking. It provides a means of safely and cleanlyejecting a used match with one hand. These and other benefits areprovided with as few as two low cost components.

DRAWINGS Figures

The following Figures are included:

FIG. 1: is a perspective view of a match handle and an exploded match

FIG. 2: is a cross-sectional perspective view of a match handle and anexploded match

FIG. 3: is a mated perspective view of a match handle and a match

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   10 a match handle in full assembly    -   12 a barrel of the match handle    -   16 a push pin used for ejecting a match from the barrel    -   20 a match holding end of the barrel    -   24 a user held end of the barrel    -   26 an eject knob used to advance the push pin forward to eject a        match    -   28 an eject slot provided to guide the axial translation of the        eject knob    -   32 a conventional wood stick match shown to demonstrate use the        match handle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3

A match handle 10 is shown in a perspective view with a match 32exploded in FIG. 1. It is shown in a cross-section of this view in FIG.2. In FIG. 3 it is shown with match inserted. FIG. 2 shows a barrel 12as an elongated cylindrical tube. It has an eject slot 28 along itsaxis. It is assembled by inserting a push pin 16 into the eject slot. Itis advanced in the barrel toward a match holding end 20. The push pinhas an eject knob 26 at a user held end 24. The eject knob keeps thepush pin within the barrel. It extends out from the eject slotcontacting the walls when pushed back and forth. This embodimentdemonstrates the eject knob incorporated with the push pin. This allowsfor the match handle to be comprised of as few as two components.

Construction of this embodiment involves the following primary steps:

-   -   1. A piece of standard tube stock is cut to a preferred length        to produce the barrel. The tube should have a suitable diameter        for frictionally holding a standard stick match. The ends of the        barrel are slightly chamfered. For this embodiment it is        currently contemplated that a cylindrical tube of acetyl plastic        be used. The inside diameter would be approximately 3 mm and an        outside diameter of 6 mm. Other dimensions may also be suitable.        These dimensions are currently contemplated as they align with        standard tube and stick match sizes.    -   2. A slot is cut in the barrel, oriented parallel to the axis of        the barrel. This produces the eject slot. The width of the eject        slot should be no greater than the inside diameter of the        barrel. The width should be no less than the cross sectional        diameter of the push pin. The length of the slot should be        slightly longer than the portion of match to be held. For this        embodiment a length of approximately 25 mm is currently        contemplated. The eject slot should be positioned near the user        held end of the barrel.    -   3. A rod is cut to length to form the push pin. The length being        approximately the distance from the tip of the match holding end        and the mid-point of the eject slot. The diameter being slightly        smaller than the inside diameter of the barrel.    -   4. One end of the push pin is then bent to form the eject knob.        The bend should be approximately 90 degrees to the push pin        axis. The length being approximately equal to the diameter of        the barrel.    -   5. The push pin is then inserted into the barrel through the        eject slot. It is advanced toward the match holding end. It        should be advanced until contacting the end of the eject slot.    -   6. The push pin may extend out from the match holding end. This        portion is cut flush with the end of the device.    -   7. Upon completion of the preceding steps, the match handle is        now ready to be used.

Although specific materials, sizes, forms, and other details arecurrently contemplated in the description of this embodiment, variousother materials, sizes, forms, etc. may be applied.

Operation First Embodiment FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3

My match handle is used for holding and applying a match. It supportsall stages of match use, from striking to disposal. It is shown in aperspective view in FIG. 1. The barrel serves as the handle by which theuser holds the device. While the user holds the barrel, the barrel holdsa match. A match is held within the inside diameter of the match holdingend. To operate, a match is inserted into the match holding end. Thematch contacts the push pin, causing it to translate toward the userheld end. The match is lit and applied as desired. Once the applicationof the match is complete it can be ejected. The push pin is used toeject the remaining portion of the match. To do this it is advancedforward toward the match holding end.

Operation of this embodiment involves the following steps:

-   -   1. A match is inserted into the match holding end of the barrel    -   2. During insertion the match moves the push pin toward the user        held end    -   3. The match is inserted until the eject knob contacts the end        of the eject slot    -   4. With the user holding the user held end of the barrel the        match is struck and lit    -   5. The match is applied as desired    -   6. The match is fully extinguished    -   7. The eject knob is advanced toward the match holding end until        the match is ejected    -   8. The match handle is now ready to be used once again

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

According to the disclosed, I have provided a match holding solution forsafe and effective application. While the above description containsmany specifications, these should not be construed as limitations on thescope of any embodiment. They serve only as exemplifications of thepresently preferred embodiments. Many ramifications and variations arepossible within the teachings of this disclosure. For example:

-   -   The barrel and push pin could be composed of shapes other than        cylindrical. Including, but are not limited to, a square or        hexagonal cross-section. Alternate shapes and configurations        could also include means to provide for alternate holding        methods.    -   Various effects could be included at the match holding end.        These could account for variations in the barrel material, size,        form, etc. They could further account for variations in        material, size, form, etc. of matches to be held.    -   The push pin can be held within the barrel by many other means        of shaping with respect to the barrel. Additional components        could be included for this purpose as well. These options would        be exhaustive to list and would not impact the principle        functionality disclosed.    -   A second barrel or similar component could be included. This        could option could be used to transfer additional compressive        force or provide rigidity. Such a component could be retractable        as desired.    -   The match holding mechanism could include a lever arm or similar        component(s). This could be compressed by the user to provide        additional match holding force.    -   Various means of surface texturing or features could be applied        to the internal wall of the barrel. Such options could be        employed to contribute to the adhesion properties of the barrel.    -   The device could have a means by which to extend its length.        Such options include, but are not limited to, a telescoping        feature or a hinged handle extension. This would allow the        overall device length to increase while still allowing it to be        conveniently stored.

Similar ramifications and variations to the ones listed would be obviousto one skilled in the art. Thus the scope of the disclosed should bedetermined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and notby the examples given.

1. A match handle with a means of ejecting a match without repositioningthe users grip on said match handle.
 2. A match handle with a means ofejecting a match without touching the match holding end of said matchhandle.
 3. A match handle comprised of a hollow barrel used to hold amatch throughout its use.
 4. The match handle of claim 3 that iscomposed of a polymer or plastic based material and has a mechanism forejecting said match.